Lactose intolerance is one of the most popular topics among authors of nutrition magazines, portals, and blogs. Although practically everything has been written about lactose tolerance, many texts still contain half-truths. So let's separate grain from chaff, sort out the facts and take a look at what lactose is, how lactose intolerance manifests itself and finally, what are lactose-free products.
What is lactose?
Simply put, lactose is a sugar found in mammalian milk, including human milk. A chemist would say that it is a disaccharide that forms galactose and glucose molecules. Lactose is less sweet than the glucose or sucrose commonly used in the kitchen. In addition to its typical food use, lactose is also used for other purposes - it can be found in medicines and pyrotechnic products. But let us come back to the question of nutrition. This disaccharide is broken down in the small intestine, and the most important role in its digestion is played by the lactase enzyme, which divides the lactose into simple sugars and allows it to be absorbed.
Lactose intolerance
The title problem is one of the most common food intolerances. We talk about it when the body does not generate enough lactase. Deficiency of this enzyme has consequences in the form of a residue of unabsorbed lactose in the intestine, which in turn manifests itself in the form of the following ailments: flatulence, gases, abdominal cramps and pains, nausea, diarrhea, feeling of overflow in the stomach and the feeling of fullness. Symptoms may vary in severity depending on the amount of dairy intake and lactase deficiency. The problem may affect both newborns (rare congenital intolerance) and adults (primary intolerance - over the years lactase production decreases causing the described ailments; secondary intolerance - is a consequence of past diseases or surgical procedures). At this point, it is also worth explaining two concepts related to this division: alactasia and hypolactasia. The first one is a congenital disease in which the intestine does not produce lactase. The second, in turn, is a gradual loss of lactase with the passage of years, despite the fact that this problem did not occur before.
Lactose-free food, is that even possible?
Digestive problems force people with this condition to put lactose-containing products aside. In theory, this means avoiding dairy products with a wide arc of counters when shopping. This is a big challenge, especially since Polish cuisine is full of various products prepared on the basis of milk. However, lactose is not only present in such popular cow's milk. So what are the other lactose-based products? This disaccharide is also found in breastfeeding mother's milk, sweets, the mentioned drugs, margarines, some types of bread (e.g. toast, yeast), sauces, ice-cream, butter, ready meals (e.g. pancakes, dumplings, croquettes) or instant soups. It can also be found as an addition to some meat products (pâtés, sausages, sausages).
Diet rich in lactose-free products
Fortunately, in most cases, sick people do not have to give up products containing lactose completely. The menu of people struggling with lactose intolerance depends on the type of ailments and the reaction of the body to undigested sugar. In practice, this is a very individual issue. Every person facing this condition should determine their own level of tolerance to lactose in one meal, below which there are no described ailments. Food without lactose does not have to mean a rigorous diet, but only a more thorough control of what lands on our plate. Eliminating a few ingredients from the menu that can successfully replace lactose-free products is a task that most people can do without much trouble. Manufacturers of dairy products, who more and more often launch lactose-free products on the market, are rushing to help.
Box diet without lactose with home delivery
For people struggling with lactose intolerance, we have prepared a menu in which products containing lactose are replaced by ingredients without lactose sugar. The lactose-free menu includes, among others, lactose-free milk products and products made from sheep's and goat's milk. We have made sure that the menu with a limited amount of dairy products continues to provide daily milkshake of calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc and B vitamins. A lactose-free box diet with the Master Diet seal of approval is not only a safe meal for your digestive system. It's also about tasty and fresh food delivered to the right address on time to help you eat healthily and spend the time you save on what you really like.